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5 No Hassle Tips to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick

January 19, 2015

Do you ever feel like it’s a resolution just to stick with your New Year’s resolution? Whether you plan to get in shape, stay on budget, or learn a new skill, these tips will help you stick to your resolution.

1. Break It Down

Conquering a big goal at once can be difficult. Often times, this leads to giving up before you even get started. Think about what steps you need to take to met your new goal. By breaking it down into smaller steps, you can get started more easily. Plus, you will have small successes along the way. If you are trying to manage money better this year, it might be difficult to change your purchase behavior overnight. Start by finding small ways to save, like using more coupons, checking store sales, buying generic brands, or making a list first. As you get comfortable with one technique, add more on to increase your savings.

2. Talk About It

If you are serious about sticking to your goal, tell others about it. Letting other people know what you are trying to accomplish keeps you accountable. Talking with your friends and family can also provide support and encouragement that help keep you focused. An added benefit of sharing your resolution is uncovering that other people are working toward the same goal. Tackling a resolution with a buddy can keep you both motivated.

3. Track Your Progress

Make sure you keep up with your progress toward your goal. If you’ve broken it down into small steps and you monitor your progress at the completion of each one, you can more easily measure how far you’ve come. Seeing this progress can be a big source of motivation if you are starting to feel like giving up. Also, writing down your progress reinforces how much effort you’ve put into meeting your goal. This reminder serves as a great motivator too.

4. Reward Yourself

If you have reached milestones on your way towards your goal, celebrate! This doesn’t mean you have to fall back in “bad behaviors,” but it does allow you to enjoy your hard work. Find rewards you enjoy that still meet your resolution. For example, if you’ve been trying to get more organized, treat yourself to a new planner or a label maker.

5. Be Patient and Forgiving

Don’t beat yourself up if you have a few missteps along the way. Perfection rarely happens in reality, so chances are you will have a few slip ups along the way. If that happens, don’t give in to negative thinking. Simply reset and start over the next day. Remember, it takes 21 days to make behavior a habit.